Descending Dove

Our Creed, Discipline, Rules of Order and Doctrine
are the WORD OF GOD as taught and revealed by the HOLY GHOST
(John 14: 26; I Corinthians 2: 9-13).

WHOLLY SANCTIFIED LIFE
We believe that in order to escape the judgment of God and to have the hope of enjoying the glory of life eternal, one must be thoroughly saved
from his sins, wholly sanctified and filled with the Holy Spirit. That a wholly sanctified life is the only true standard of a Christian life.
(Eph 4:1-3; Col 1:9-17; Heb 12:14; James 1:22; 1 Pet 1:15-17)

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness; that the man of God maybe perfect thoroughly furnished unto all good works."
(II Timothy 3: 16-17)

TRINITY
The LORD our God, the LORD is one. The Godhead is a threesome personage made up of God the Father, Creator of all things, giver of Love;
Jesus, the One and Only Son of God, the Word through whom all things were created, the Lamb slain for our sins for redemption, giver of Life;
the Holy Spirit, our counselor, comforter, enabling power, and wisdom, giver of Light
(Gen 1:1-31; John 1:1-5, 29, 14:16-17, 15:26; Acts 2:1-4).

MEMBERSHIP - HOW OBTAINED - BAPTISM
As members of the Body of Christ, which is the true Church (Ephesians 1:22-23), the "Word of God", declares but one way of entrance therein
and that is "by one spirit are we all baptized unto one body" and that is a baptism of "Water and Spirit"
(John 3:5, 14:6; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-4; I Cor. 12:12-27; Gal. 3:26-29).

RECORD OF MEMBERSHIP
The names of the members are kept on record in Heaven (Luke 10:20). For it is written, "The Lord shall count when He writeth up his people, that
this man was born there: (Psa. 87:6). ALL must be "born of water and spirit" in this dispensation, if they desire their names be written in Heaven
(Hebrews 12:22-23).

HOW NAMES ARE BLOTTED OUT
We have nothing to do with that, whatever, for thus saith the Lord, "Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I BLOT OUT of my book:
(Exodus 32:33). And again, "He that overcometh I will not Blot OUT his name out of the book of life"
(Rev. 3:5).

GOD'S STANDARD OF SALVATION
We earnestly contend for God's standard of Salvation. In the Word of God, we can find nothing short of a Holy (Matthew 5:48), spirit filled life
with 'SIGN'S' following as on the Day of Pentecost and evidence of one's doing his Father's will and purpose
(Mark 16:16-17; Acts 2:4; 8:14-17; 9:17-19; 10:44-48; 19:1-6; Romans 6:3-4, 12:1-2; II Cor 5:17; Hebrews 12:14; ; I Peter 1:15-16; Gen 4:7; Romans 8:28;
James 1:22; II Tim 2:2; Titus 2:11-14).

REPENTANCE AND REMISSION OF SINS
The only grounds upon which God will accept a sinner is repentance from the heart. He will not despise (Psa. 51:17). John preached repentance,
Jesus proclaimed it, and before His ascension commanded that Repentance and the Remission of Sins be preached in His name, beginning at
Jerusalem (Acts 1:8). And Peter fulfilled his command on the Day of Pentecost
(II Chron 7:14; Matt 3:2, 4:17; Mark 1:15; Acts 2:38, 26:20).

DIVINE HEALING
The Lord alone is our Healer (Exodus 15:26; Jer 30:17). The Lord made our bodies. Should it be thought a thing incredible that He can heal us?
With His stripes we are healed
(Isa. 53:4-5; Matthew 8:14-17; 10:8; Mark 16:17; John 14:12; James 5:14-15).

THE LORD'S SUPPER
Melchizedek, the Priest of the Most High God, gave the first Communion to our Father Abraham, consisting of bread and wine (Genesis 14:18).
Christ being come a High Priest "after the order of Melchizedek," eventually administered the same (Hebrews 6:20). Grape juice is the 'new' wine,
not fermented with age or decay
(Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-22; I Cor 11:23-32).

FEET WASHING
This ordinance is as much a divine command as any other New Testament ordinance. Jesus gave us an example that we should do even as He
had done. He said that we ought to wash one another's feet. Again, if you know these things, happy are you if you do them (John 13:4-17). There is
scriptural evidence that the church practiced this in the days of Apostle Paul
(Matt 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-10; Luke 7:37-38; John 12:1-8; I Timothy 5:10).

OFFERING
We believe that if people of God would obey His Word, there would be plenty on hand to carry on His work without scheming and grafting.
"Tithing, and free will offering" is God's Plan
(Gen 14:20; 28:22; Malachi 3:8-12; Exodus 25:2, 35:5, 21 & 29; Rom 12:1; II Cor 9:7-8).

COLLECTIONS ON THE STREET
We should preach the gospel free of charge (I Cor 9:18), but if any feel disposed to give an offering at such time,
let it be graciously received as from the Lord
(Isa 55:1; Matt 10:8; II Cor 9:7-8).

CIVIL GOVERNMENT
The power of Civil Magistrates is ordained of God for peace, safety, and the welfare of all people (Romans 13:1-10; Titus 3:1); therefore, it is our duty
to be in obedience to all requirements of the laws that are not contrary to the Word of God. It is our duty to honor them, pay tribute, or such
taxation as may be require without murmuring (Matthew 17:24-27, 22:17-21), and show respect to them in all lawful requirements of the civil
government. We are exhorted by the Word to "be content" (I Tim 6:8; Hebrews 13:5); "be content with your wages".
(James 5:2; Luke 3:14).

PERSECUTION and MALTREATMENT
In times of persecution, or maltreatment at the hands of an enemy, we should not "avenge ourselves". For it is written, "Vengeance is mine I will
repay, saith the Lord" (Duet. 32:35; Romans 12:19). We should rather suffer wrong, than to do wrong.
(I Peter 1:6, 2:19-20, 3:14 & 17, 4:15-19)

RAPTURE OF SAINTS
We believe that the time draweth near for the coming of the Lord to make a change in the present order of things, and at that time all righteous
dead shall arise from the grave, and "we that are alive shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air:
(Matt 24:30-31, 40-41; Luke 17:34-36; I Thes 4:13-17).

THE 2nd COMING OF CHRIST
That Jesus is coming to earth again in person in a doctrine clearly set forth in Apostolic times. Jesus taught it. The Apostles preached it, and the
Saints accepted it
(see Matthew 24:1-51; Mark 13:1-37; Luke 12:39-40; Acts 1:11; I Cor 15:52; I Thes 5:1-2; James 5:7-8; II Peter 3:10; I John 3:2; Rev 16:15).

THE MILLENIUM
Moreover we believe that the distress upon the world is the "beginning of sorrows" and will become more intense until there "shall be a time
of trouble such as there never was since, there was a nation even to that time" (Matt 24:3-8; Dan 12:1), and that period of tribulation (Matt 24:21-29)
will be followed by the dawn of a better day on earth, and that 1000 years, there shall be "peace on earth, good will toward men"
(Rev 20:1-7)

FINAL JUDGEMENT
When the 1000 years are finished, there shall be a resurrection of the dead, who shall be summoned before the great white throne for their final
judgment, all those whose names are not found written in the book of life, shall be cast in the lake of fire, burning with brimstone, which God
has prepared for the devil and his angels. Satan being cast in first
(Rev 20:7-15; 21:8; 22:19-21)